Ornaments are treats that shouldn’t be eaten, sugar leads to being sick and popcorn strings could be a quick way to tip over a Christmas tree.

“My dog did that one year,” said Dr. Crystal Scott, veterinarian at Kindness Animal Hospital in Grand Forks, N.D. Her dog had tried to eat popcorn and cranberries off of the tree, only to end up with the whole tree falling on top of him.

But these holiday hazards don’t mean pet owners can’t celebrate — they just need to take precautions.

Cold temperatures

The winter weather can also pose a chilly threat to pets, Scott said.

She advises anyone who keeps their pet outside to have a wind-proof shelter with bedding to help keep the pet warm.

“Some people have heated shelters for their pets,” she said. If that’s not the case, she suggests making sure the shelter is small enough so that the pet’s body heat can warm it.

“Shorter-hair dogs are more susceptible to the cold,” Scott added.

Pet experts remind owners that they should have a shelter for the pet and provide water, and encourages them to bring pets inside when temperatures are below zero.

Bad treats and things to eat

Holiday festivities can also be dangerous to pets if their owners aren’t careful.

Scott suggests that pet owners watch electrical cords when hanging Christmas lights, because pets could pull or chew the cords.

Pet owners should also remember that holiday foods can make pets sick, so chocolate and other sweets shouldn’t be fed to pets, she said.